Interspecific tree named ‘Dapple Delight’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of interspecific tree. The following features of the tree and its fruit are characterized with the tree budded on ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (non-patented), grown on Handford sandy loam soil with Storie Index rating 95, in USDA Hardiness Zone 9, near Modesto, Calif., with standard commercial fruit growing practices, such as pruning, thinning, spraying, irrigation and fertilization. Its novelty consist of the following combination of desirable features:
         1. Tree with a vigorous, upright growth habit.   2. Tree being a regular and productive bearer of medium to large size fruit.   3. Fruit having firm, red flesh with very good flavor and eating quality.   4. Fruit with an attractive mottled red skin color.   5. Fruit with good storage and shipping quality.

Botanical designation: Interspecific Prunus species.

Variety denomination: ‘Dapple Delight’.

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

Field of the Invention

In the field of plant genetics, we conduct an extensive and continuing plant-breeding program including the organization and asexual reproduction of orchard trees, and of which plums, peaches, nectarines, apricots, cherries, almonds and interspecifics are exemplary. It was against this background of our activities that the present variety of interspecific tree was originated and asexually reproduced by us in our experimental orchard located near Modesto, Stanislaus County, Calif.

Prior Varieties

Among the existing varieties of interspecific trees, which are known to us, and mentioned herein ‘Flavor Grenade’ Interspecific (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 12,097), ‘Honey Punch’ Interspecific (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,596), the proprietary non-patented plum selection ‘276LF278’ and the proprietary non-patented interspecific selections ‘6ZB206’, ‘66Z68’, ‘10HD820’ and ‘45GK282’.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety of interspecific tree was originated by us from multiple crosses between Prunus salicina and Prunus armeniaca in our experimental orchard located near Modesto, Calif. as a first generation cross between our proprietary non-patented interspecific seedlings ‘6ZB206’ and ‘10HD820’. The seed parent ‘6ZB206’ is a first generation seedling cross from our proprietary non-patented plum seedling ‘276LF278’ and the non-patented interspecific ‘66Z68’. The pollen parent ‘10HD820’ originated as a first generation cross between ‘Flavor Grenade’ Interspecific (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 12,097) and the proprietary non-patented interspecific ‘45GK282’. A large number of these first generation seedlings were budded onto older established trees of ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (non-patented) to enhance earlier fruit production. Under close and careful observation the present budded seedling exhibited desirable fruit and tree characteristics and was selected in 2005 for additional asexual propagation and commercialization.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF THE VARIETY

In 2005 asexual reproduction of the new and distinct variety of interspecific tree was by budding to ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (non-patented), as performed by us in our experimental orchard located near Modesto, Calif., and shows that reproductions run true to the original tree and all characteristics of the tree and its fruit are established and transmitted through succeeding asexual propagations.

SUMMARY OF THE NEW VARIETY

A new and distinct variety of interspecific tree, which consists of crosses between Prunus salicina and Prunus armeniaca has vigorous, upright growth and is a regular and productive bearer of medium to large size fruit with a mottled red skin color. The fruit is further characterized by its firm, red flesh and very good flavor and eating quality. In comparison to its proprietary non-patented interspecific seed parent (6ZB206) the fruit of the new variety is larger in size and has red flesh compared to yellow. In comparison to its proprietary non-patented interspecific pollen parent (10HD820) the fruit of the new variety has mottled red skin compared to red skin and is approximately 10 days later in maturity. In comparison to the commercial variety ‘Honey Punch’ Interspecific (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,596) the fruit of the new variety has a mottled red skin color compared to red skin and is approximately 35 days earlier in maturity.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying color photographic illustration shows typical specimens of the foliage and fruit of the present new interspecific variety. The illustration shows the upper and lower surface of the leaves, an exterior and sectional view of a single fruit divided in its suture plane to show flesh color, pit cavity and the stone remaining in place. The photographic illustration was taken shortly after being picked (shipping ripe) from a 10 year old tree and the colors are as nearly true as is reasonably possible in a color representation of this type.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The following is a detailed botanical description of the new variety of interspecific tree, its flowers, foliage and fruit, as based on observations of 10 year old specimens grown near Modesto, Calif., with color in accordance with Munsell Book of Color published in 1958.

-   Tree:     -   -   Size.—Large, pruned to 3 to 3.5 meters in height and width             for economical harvesting of fruit. Varies with different             cultural practices.         -   Vigor.—Vigorous, tree growth of 1.5 to 2 meters in height             the first growing season. Varies with cultural practices,             soil type, fertility and climatic conditions.         -   Form.—Upright, usually pruned to vase shape.         -   Branch habit.—Upright, crotch angle approximately 30°,             increases with heavy crop load.         -   Productivity.—Productive, thinning and spacing of fruit             necessary for marketable size fruit. Number of fruit set             varies with climatic conditions during blooming period.         -   Bearer.—Regular, has had adequate fruit set 8 consecutive             years. No alternate bearing observed.         -   Fertility.—Self sterile, pollinator required.         -   Density.—Medium dense, usually pruned to vase shape to             increase air movement and sunlight to enhance fruit color             and health of fruit spurs.         -   Hardiness.—Hardy in all stone fruit growing areas of             California. Tree grown in USDA Hardiness Zone 9. Winter             chilling requirement approximately 600 hours at or below 45°             F. -   Trunk:     -   -   Size.—Large, average circumference 60.0 cm at 25.4 cm above             ground on a 10 year old tree.         -   Stocky.—Medium stocky.         -   Texture.—Medium shaggy, roughness increases with age.         -   Color.—Varies from 2.5Y 6/2 to 2.5Y 5/2. -   Branches:     -   -   Size.—Medium. Average circumference 16.3 cm at 1.2 meters             above ground. Crotch angle approximately 30°, increases with             heavy crop load.         -   Surface texture.—New growth relatively smooth. Mature growth             medium rough, roughness increases with age.         -   Lenticels.—Average number 23 in a 25.8 square cm section of             branch. Average length 3.2 mm. Average width 1.7 mm. Color             varies from 5YR 5/12 to 7.5YR 5/10.         -   Color.—New growth varies from 5GY 5/6 to 5GY 5/8. Mature             growth varies from 7.5YR 3/2 to 7.5YR 2/4, varies with age             of growth. -   Leaves:     -   -   Size.—Medium. Average length 105.7 mm. Average width 42.8             mm.         -   Form.—Oblanceolate.         -   Apex.—Acuminate.         -   Base.—Cuneate.         -   Margin.—Doubly serrate.         -   Thickness.—Medium.         -   Surface texture.—Upper surface relatively smooth, slight             indentations over midrib and leaf veins. Lower surface             relatively smooth, except for small ridges created by midrib             and pinnate venation. Both upper and lower surfaces             glabrous.         -   Petiole.—Average length 14.6 mm. Average width 1.5 mm.             Longitudinally grooved. Surface glabrous. Color varies from             5GY 6/6 to 10R 2/6.         -   Glands.—Type — globose. Size — small. Average length 0.8 mm.             Average diameter 0.4 mm. Average number 4, varies from 3             to 4. Primarily located on the upper portion of the petiole             and base of leaf blade. Color varies from 5GY 7/6 to 5GY             7/8.         -   Stipules.—Average number 2. Average length 8.0 mm. Margin —             pectinate. Color varies from 5GY 7/6 to 5GY 7/8.         -   Color.—Upper surface varies from 10Y 3/4 to 2.5GY 4/4. Lower             surface varies from 5GY 5/4 to 2.5GY 5/4. Midvein color             varies from 10Y 7/4 to 7.5Y 7/4. -   Flower buds:     -   -   Size.—Medium. Average length 9.8 mm. Average diameter 6.1             mm.         -   Hardiness.—Hardy with respect to California winters.         -   Density.—Dense.         -   Form.—Conical, becoming elongated just before opening.         -   Pedicel.—Average length 5.9 mm. Average width 0.9 mm.             Surface glabrous. Color varies from 2.5GY 9/6 to 2.5GY 7/12.         -   Color.—N 9.5/(white). -   Flowers:     -   -   Blooming period.—Date of First Bloom Mar. 2, 2015. Date of             Petal Fall Mar. 12, 2015, varies slightly with climatic             conditions.         -   Size.—Medium. Average height 11.3 mm. Average diameter 17.5             mm.         -   Petals.—Number — normally 5, alternately arranged to sepals.             Petal apex — rounded. Petal base — truncate. Size — medium             to large. Average length 10.9 mm. Average width 8.5 mm. Form             — globose to elliptical. Arrangement — free. Margin —             sinuate. Color N 9.5/(white).         -   Sepals.—Number — normally 5, alternately arranged to petals.             Sepal apex — triangular. Size — medium to large. Average             length 4.0 mm. Average width 2.5 mm. Shape — triangular.             Margin — entire. Surface — both upper and lower surfaces             glabrous. Color — upper surface varies from 2.5 6/8 to 5GY             6/6. Lower surface varies from 5GY 6/6 to 5R 3/6 on the very             upper edge of the sepal before flower opens.         -   Stamens.—Average number per flower 23. Average filament             length 6.9 mm. On average the stamens are below the height             of the petals. Filament color N 9.5/(white). Anther color             varies from 5Y 8/8 to 5Y 8/10.         -   Pollen.—Self sterile, pollinator required. Color varies from             2.5Y 7/12 to 5Y 7/12.         -   Pistil.—Number — normally 1. Surface glabrous. Average             length 8.7 mm. Position of stigma an average of 1.8 mm below             anthers. Color varies from 10Y 7/8 to 2.5GY 8/6.         -   Fragrance.—Heavy.         -   Pedicel.—Average length 7.2 mm. Average width 0.7 mm. Color             varies from 2.5GY 6/6 to 2.5GY 6/8.         -   Color.—N 9.5/(white).         -   Number flowers per flower bud.—Average number 3, varies from             2 to 4. -   Fruit:     -   -   Maturity when described.—Firm ripe and ready for             consumption.         -   Date of first picking.—Jul. 7, 2015.         -   Date of last picking.—Jul. 17, 2015, varies slightly with             climatic conditions.         -   Size.—Medium to large. Average diameter axially 60.4 mm.             Average transversely in suture plane 65.4 mm. Average weight             173.2 grams, varies slightly with fertility of the soil,             amount of thinning and climatic conditions.         -   Form.—Globose.         -   Suture.—Nearly smooth.         -   Ventral surface.—Smooth.         -   Apex.—Slightly retuse.         -   Base.—Flat.         -   Stem cavity.—Rounded to slightly elongated in suture plane.             Average depth, 8.0 mm. Average diameter 5.3 mm. -   Stem:     -   -   Size.—Medium to large. Average length 15.6 mm. Average             diameter 2.4 mm.         -   Color.—Varies from 2.5GY 6/8 to 5YR 3/6. -   Flesh:     -   -   Ripens.—Evenly.         -   Texture.—Firm, meaty.         -   Fibers.—Few, small, tender.         -   Firmness.—Firm, comparable to other commercial varieties.         -   Aroma.—Slight.         -   Amydgalin.—Undetected.         -   Eating quality.—Very good.         -   Flavor.—Very good, with a good balance between acid and             sugar.         -   Juice.—Heavy, enhances flavor.         -   Acidity.—Not available.         -   Brix.—Average Brix 16.4°, varies slightly with amount of             fruit per tree and climatic conditions.         -   Color.—Varies from 5R 4/10 to 7.5R 3/10.         -   Pit cavity.—Average length 24.8 mm. Average width 20.2 mm.             Average depth 6.3 mm. Color varies from 7.5R 3/6 to 7.5R             3/8. -   Skin:     -   -   Thickness.—Medium.         -   Surface.—Smooth.         -   Bloom.—Heavy amount, complete coverage.         -   Tendency to crack.—None.         -   Color.—Ground color varies from 2.5Y 6/8 to 2.5Y 5/8.             Overspread with 7.5R 3/6 to 10R 3/8. Small, randomly spaced             areas of ground color exposed to skin surface giving a             mottled pattern to skin.         -   Tenacity.—Tenacious to the flesh.         -   Astringency.—Slight to none. -   Stone:     -   -   Type.—Clingstone, strong adherence to flesh.         -   Size.—Large. Average length 23.8 mm. Average width 19.2 mm.             Average thickness 10.6 mm.         -   Form.—Obovoid.         -   Base.—Flat.         -   Apex.—Pointed. Average length 1.0 mm.         -   Surface.—Slightly pitted throughout.         -   Sides.—Unequal, one side extending further from suture             plane.         -   Ridges.—Very narrow, small ridge near groove on each side of             suture, extends from base to apex.         -   Tendency to split.—None.         -   Color.—Varies from 5YR 5/6 to 7.5YR 5/6 when dry. -   Kernel:     -   -   Size.—Medium. Average length 14.7 mm. Average width 9.8 mm.             Average depth 5.8 mm.         -   Form.—Ovoid.         -   Viability.—Viable, complete embryo development.         -   Skin color.—Varies from 5Y 9/6 to 5Y 8.5/6. -   Use:     -   -   Dessert.—Market — local and long distance. -   Keeping quality: Good, held firm in cold storage for 3 weeks at 38°     to 42° F. without internal breakdown of flesh or appreciable loss of     flavor. -   Shipping quality: Good, showed minimal skin scarring or flesh     bruising during picking, packing and shipping trials. -   Plant/fruit disease resistance/susceptibility: No specific testing     for relative plant/fruit disease resistance/susceptibility has been     designed. Under close observation during planting, growing, and     harvesting of fruit, under normal cultural and growing conditions     near Modesto, Calif., no particular plant/fruit disease resistance     or susceptibility has been observed. Any variety observed during     indexing of plant characteristics with abnormal fungus, bacterial,     virus or insect susceptibility is destroyed and eliminated from our     breeding program. No atypical resistances/susceptibilities have been     noted under normal cultural practices. The present new variety of     interspecific tree, its flowers foliage and fruit herein described     may vary in slight detail due to climate, soil conditions and     cultural practices under which the variety may be grown. The present     description is that of the variety grown under the ecological     conditions prevailing near Modesto, Calif. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of interspecific tree, substantially as illustrated and described. 